The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
but Cheeyer's greediy vindictive face caused

! I'm id"
The tramp now slowly entered the piazza.
YES, sir, you," continued Major league,
| looking steadily at Barker, who as steadily
returned his gaze "They think You can
prejudice that thar brother of your'n, if you
want to- In fact, you stand charged as bein'
! an accessory after the fact"
"The charge is false!' said Barker emphati-
| cally. II had brother who did as you de-
| scribed, but whether / have one now or not
do not know have not heard of him in nine
years.
"rhe perlice," resumed the sheriff impcr-
| turbably, have thought you might possibly
| know where your brother is. They have got
| word from some one that tramp stays round
| you, place great deal-a teller like your
| brother, with one arm, and"
why, that-that" stammered the cap
tam; then seeing Gheevcr's cruelty expressive
smile, he again turned ON him, saying:
=. iom, IL tins ISL, your work il looks might
! lily like it. Why d-n it, Sir! this man YOU
speak of has been with me more than at
Barker's, and he's rs harmless as u child"
"Gentlemen,' said Major league, ''let me
| get through with my arrant and you can all
! have the floor Hits not for me to argy agin
your suppositions, but | have a warrant for
this tramp, and if he is your brother, Mr.
Barker, that lets you out provided you haven't
knowingly aided in concealin' him from JUS
| tice. But il this isn't him, them thar perlico
| want you, onless you prove your innercence of
| helpin' him outen the scrape."
The tramp now advanced with an air OF
| nervous, fdgety resolution, and said:
Mr.. Sheriff, am George Barkers brother.
and though he hash known hide nor hair OF
me in nine years, as his brother don't believe
he'd have gone back on me il he had. Would
| you, GeorgeY
He turned to Barker with dumb longing in
| his watery eyes, while the latter stared at him,
| feeling certain vague misgivngs concerning
| tins trendlesS Waif now merged into q sudden
CONVICTION OF the sad truth thCy had fore
| shadowed Cheevor's cruel smile grew ex-
| ultant, while the captain calculated
Good God mighty"
The tramp turned to the latter, saying:
DO you remember, sir, q young federal
officer whose hand was taken of the night
after Chickamauga i'll your prcsence?'
81 do. God help mel j dol" exclaimed
the veteran
81 was that lieutenant, captain. had a
ring"
YES yes, my poor fellow. caught ono of
! our boys making off with it. ! took it, intend
ing to restore it to you when you were able to
| claim your property"
"WEen | came to-" continued the tramp
| stoldly, 81 was in the hands Of our boys again.
! saw that ring when | first met Miss Claggett
III the woods, Inside are tho words con
amore, carved by myself for one to whom the
| ring once belonged, and who, curse hcrl was
afterwards the cause of my doing the deed for
which have been wanted so long"
Barker now graspcd his brothers. hand say
"Sam. why didn't you make yourself known I?
ought 20 have recognized yotk; but, Iny God /
how changed you are! would have stood by
you, and II stand by Won now"
| 81 always felt that you would, George but
| the affair broke me up. went from bad to
| worse after l disappeared, until 1 became an
alien and an outcast j came here quite by
accident, saw that ring, recognized you, and
just stayed OH because l hadn't the nerve TO
| leave under the kind treatment / received.
But | never thought of bringing trouble on
| you, George"
81 believe it," said Barker. "Now, gentle
men, lei me say that this poor man has been
more sinned against than SHINING. He married,
years ago, a woman older than himself, who
made his life he'll, and finally ran away with
the man whom he struck-in moment of
passion ii is true, yet openly and in fair fight"
81 believe you, Barker" said the captain.
~ saw hishand taken off, and it hardly phazed
! him, though he wouldn't even take dram to
nerve himself. And / say, d--n man who
won't defend his honor Here, Lucyu'
That astuto young lady, in lingering about
| the hallway, had heard enough OF tho fore
| going conversation to divine how the land lay
| She now appeared, as dcmurc as though miles
had interviewed between her sweet self and all
| surrcptitiousy acquired knowledge Yet she
contrived to shoot swift, tender glance al
Barker, who was no laggard in constituting ii as
! a gaze Of reconciliation.
"Wel, Puss," said her father, "here's an
owner for our ring At last"
AS Lucy quietly held it forth Major league
| took il, saying:
81 reckon III have to take charge of it for
| awhile, If it belongs to your brother, MIR.
| Barker This lets you out, but unless your
| brother CAN give pretty stiff bond he'll have
to go to jail until the Wisconsin officer gets
here with the rcckiSishun."
"lf youneed more bail, Barker, said Captain
Clag2ett, send iorlnc Stick to your brother,
| ! say, for blood should DO thicker than water
| anywhere"
| The tramp, LOOKING 1T Checycr, now said to
/ Barker:
"Gcorge look s'aru whenever that man
comes about you. llo'd have pushed you over
/ the foot-log the da} Of the picnic"
Then he briefly but pointedly related the
| circumstances.
"its lie" cried Chcclcr, boldly
| "ir3 the truth, gentlemen" said BARKER
suddenly. zone oi my hands, who was hunt,
! ing muscadincs saw the whole affair iron:
| distance and told me about it, I said nothing,
| because ] thought Cheeyer friend Of Captain
! Clagectts."
Gym id if he is any more, IL that's his
| camel" returned The captain
! Cheeycr attempted to buster, failed and
found himself generally ignored A dispersal
Of the party now took place Major league
carrying OFF his prisoner Barker WHISPERED to
Lucy;
! 81 must stand by my brother Will you wish
| me good luckY
Epr an auuwpr bpr hand goftI, rcfupnod tI,c